As the seasons change and I sift through my closet, planning out how to create a fabulous fall wardrobe on a budget, two snippets of style advice are stuck in my mind.  The first: it's better to have a few great pieces than a closet full of mediocre pieces.  Every girl here who's found herself staring into a sea of clothing and still sighing that she has nothing to wear understands what I mean.  Quality is more important than quantity.  The next style catchphrase is the idea of everyday luxury, meaning splurging on truly terrific finds and wearing them until they are thread-bare.  No more waiting for special occasions to bust out your favorite pieces. 

An item that is at its trend peak for '08's cold weather months and one that epitomizes everyday quality is the leather jacket.  At once edgy and classic, some version of this staple is a must in every woman's autumn clothing arsenal.

Model Agyness Deyn showcases a leather jacket above.  The photo is from Daily Mail's coverage of leather jackets from 2007.  As usual, celebs are in on the trend first, although a leather (or faux leather) jacket is less of a trend-of-the-moment and more of a wardrobe staple--definitely worth spending your summer job money on.

A leather jacket is perfect...

• With skinnies and a tank.  Take your basic spring outfit, add leather jacket, and voila -- you suddenly have a closetful of fall/winter clothes with the purchase of just one item.
• With a sleek dress or mini.  Rock out your bar attire with some black leather (real or fake).  Vamp it to the max with dark eyes and nail polish or keep it fresh with glittery earrings and a rosy cheek.  See how Rachel Bilson uses a cropped jacket to take her flirty frock from poolside teenager to grown-up.
• For trick-or-treating.  Go as Kate Moss or a character from Twilight.
• With pumps, Vans, peep-toes or boots.
• For any skin tone and/or hair color!  Basic black looks great on anyone, although you can change it up with a jacket in another neutral such as gunmetal gray, olive green or dark brown.

Rachel Bilson, Paris Hilton, and Cameron Diaz all work the leather jacket trend here in different ways - cropped, hooded, and classic.  (Photos compiled from Fashion Satisfaction.)

The Olsen Twins have long been known for cutting-edge style including biker jackets; see Mary-Kate above.  Rihanna uses a jacket to transition a spring look, wearing it with summer trends 'pop of color' turquoise nail polish and Wayfarer sunnies.

Read on to get the look for yourself...

Over $100

TopShop sells a few leather jackets.  This Leather Fringe Biker Jacket goes for just over $200, or stay warm and edgy in this Sleevless Leather Biker for around $130.

$50-$100

At $150.80 each, these real leather jackets are the most expensive thing I've ever spotted at Forever 21.  The Leather Zip-up Jacket will be an instant classic in any wardrobe and is just begging for you to wear it and break it in.  The F21 website describes their Cropped Leather Jacket as "fiercely stylish."

Under $50

This Graciana 3Q Faux Leather Jacket from F21 sells for $32.80, and is perfect if you strive to be edgy but find full-on biker gear a bit daunting.  Affordable and practical, and I love the grommets.  This jacket is also perfect for any P.E.T.A. members.  This XOXO Faux Leather Jacket, at right, sells for under $30 from Burlington Coat Factory.  I would ditch the belt that comes with a jacket (I'm hoping it's removable) and replace with a pop of color or a studded belt.

As always, thrifting and rummaging through your mom or your cool aunt's closet may also be viable options.  A quality jacket (especially leather, which generally only improves with age) will last years if not a lifetime, so what may seem like a splurge could result in a great payoff when your new jacket outlives much of your wardrobe.